A Definitive List of the Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin in 2024

Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin_hands rubbing body lotion onto thigh_1000x800 Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin_hands rubbing body lotion onto thigh_1000x800

Let’s talk moisture! When it comes to dry skin, nothing beats a good body moisturiser.

Dry skin usually occurs in the colder months when the skin can't hold on to enough moisture. This could be caused by hotter showers, colder winds, and lower humidity.

But let's be honest, having a body lotion on hand all year round is a great way to seal in moisture and keep your skin soft and nourished. Especially for those who find their skin usually remains on the dry side no matter the season.

So if you're looking for the best body moisturisers for dry skin, get ready to meet all of our favourite skin treats with the best nourishing ingredients below!


But First, Should I Moisturise My Body Every day?

How often should you moisturise? And should I really moisturise my body every day? Well, it really depends on your situation. Moisturising every day isn't a necessity, however, there are some situations where moisturising every day is a good idea. So before you ditch, the everyday body moisturiser check out to see if you fall into any of these five categories

  • You live in a hard-water area and shower daily.

  • Your skin is exposed to the elements on a daily basis.

  • You swim frequently

  • You live in an arid climate

  • You have a dry skin type.


So, How often should you moisturise your whole body?

Moisturising daily is best for healthy and hydrated skin. However if (like me) you're running low on time, energy and let's be real... money, you can safely moisturise your body every few days. Let your skin tell you what it needs, if it is feeling particularly dry, give it a little extra TLC! And remember, the best time to moisturise is after a hot shower, as this is when your skin is the most dried out and needs a little extra hydration.


Here Are Our 10 Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin

Treat your body with the same level of care you give the skin on your face, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully nourished, all-over glow. L'Occitane has designed its unbreakable squeeze bottle for this body lotion with this in mind. Pop it in the shower, your weekend getaway bag, or your sports tote, so it's always on hand. We also love the clean scent, which balances sweet Jasmine with musky Ylang-Ylang.

  • Shea Butter is the hero ingredient in this ultra-rich lotion.

  • Luscious, natural Shea Butter does more than moisturise; it boosts your skin's health with antioxidants and essential fatty acids. There's a reason it's considered to be one of nature's superfoods!

  • Another ingredient, Apricot Seed Oil, has similar benefits but also brings vitamin K to the party, which helps reduce the appearance of marks on the skin.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion Review:

"Gorgeous body lotion! My skin just loves this one and drinks it up! The texture is lightly but so creamy and the smell is to die for" ★★★★★ Juliet, Adore Beauty Customer


This CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion is packed with skin loving ingredients to maintain and restore your barrier—think ceramides and hyaluronic acid—to protect the skin from the daily onslaught. But you want even more from a body lotion, right? You want your skin to feel smooth and luxurious, not slimy or sticky. CeraVe has ticked this box too. Use after a bath or shower to leave your body with a velvety finish.

  • If you’ve been hunting for an affordable lotion for dry skin, CeraVe helps you fulfil your quest.

  • This gentle lotion (sensitive skin will love it) from this line has been formulated to do more than just moisturise the skin.

  • Patented MVE Technology helps to restore natural moisture levels.

CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion Review:

"I use this as a body lotion on my dry skin. It instantly moisturises and keeps the skin hydrated. I use it every night to prevent dry skin. Love that it comes in different sizes too!." - ★★★★★ Sarah, Adore Beauty Customer

This bonus-sized bottle of skin nourishment is perfect for daily use by everyone in your family. Suitable for normal-to-dry skins, ELEVEN Moisture Lotion Hand & Body Cream relies on Aloe and Cucumber Extract to hydrate the skin. Dry skin can be itchy and a little angry, and these two skin superheroes, along with Chamomile Extract, are known for their soothing effects.

  • The skin nourishment in this body and hand cream comes from Coconut Oil.

  • Coconut Oil is known for its rapid absorption, leaving a hydrated and clean finish on the skin.

  • Other great news is that this formulation is vegan-friendly.

"I have been searching for paraben and chemical-free, Aussie made body moisturiser that works and doesn't smell like cheap, artificial fragrance. This is a winner. Absorbs beautifully and is super hydrating without being greasy. I'm really particular about product smells and this has a natural, clean and uplifting scent that isn't overpowering. I hope Eleven create some more of this moisturiser in different scents." - ★★★★★ Carmen, Adore Beauty Customer


Cult Classic, 24-Hour Hydrating Lotion

Kiehl's Crème de Corps has topped the favourites list of consumers for over 40 years. You only earn a great rep like this if you deliver the goods! What stands out about this body cream from Kiehl’s is that while it instantly hydrates skin, it also maintains moisture levels for a full 24 hours. This is thanks to the super-high levels of moisturising ingredients, including Shea Butter and Avocado Oil.

Cult Classic, 24-Hour Hydrating Lotion
  • Despite the product’s name, its formulation is light (it's a lotion rather than a cream).

  • Kiehl's Crème de Corps is completely unscented, which is a bonus when you're applying a balm to your whole body.

"Keihl's got it right when naming this body moisturiser. Like a corpsman it's ready for most anything! Hands, arms, legs, feet & face! A great all-around all,over moisturiser that everyone should have a small bottle tucked away in their handbag, glove box and/or first aid kit! You never know when it'll come in handy! You could almost call it the MacGyver of moisturisers! It soaks in well, works all year round (even in tropical climes) and doesn't leave your skin felling encumbered. Soothing, refreshing and nourishing! I can clearly see why this is a fan favourite. I've been keeping some handy in little bottles everywhere. Definitely a winner!" - ★★★★★ Ruth, Adore Beauty Customer


asap revitalising bodymoist simultaneously treats skin on the body with high levels of moisture. Thanks to a blend of oils, including Rose Hip, Avocado, and Olive, this is the best body lotion for ageing skin as it can deliver impressive moisture for dry skin. The final effect is skin that’s left feeling toned and tight, with a hint of Citrus fragrance.

  • asap revitalising bodymoist 200ml is like a workout in a bottle for your skin.

  • This all-over moisture lotion contains Glycolic Acid, an ingredient often used in specialist skin treatments to treat skin discolouration and scarring.

  • Glycolic Acid resurfaces areas that really need it, like dry patches and other imperfections.

  • By giving your skin gentle exfoliation with daily use, this asap lotion has a revitalising effect on the surface of your whole body.

"I really like this body moisturiser. I find that I can stop using my abrasive exfoliating gloves when I use this. Absorbs super quickly and I can get dressed soon after applying it. Make sure you use SPF with this though!" - Alexandra ★★★★★


Free of fragrances and hypoallergenic, this product has a rich and creamy texture. But because it’s non-comedogenic, the formula won’t cause pores to clog on areas like your back and thighs. Finally, the pump action of this bottle makes it super-easy to get your daily dose of moisture as you step out of the shower or bath. How simple does that make your skincare routine?

  • Bioderma is known for its gentle but practical approach to skincare, which makes Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Cream a great choice for generally dry skin and sensitive skin in particular.

  • You can use this moisturising cream on your face too. Some body creams can give dry skin instant relief but don't solve the issue long-term.

"Great product and great value - on par with the avene xeracalm range in terms of how good it is for sensitive skin (I experience no reaction at all) but bonus of being in such an easy to dispense container and soaks in/spreads really easily. Have used this on my face and no negative reaction or breakouts." - ★★★★★ Emma, Adore Beauty Customer


Confused by the term ‘body milk’? Don’t be: this organic moisturiser has the consistency of a lotion. The gentle, unscented formulation of Eco Tan Organic Coconut Body Milk makes it a great choice if you have particularly sensitive skin or suffer from eczema. The inclusion of Coconut Oil and Aloe Juice is a brilliant move for soothing irritated skin naturally.

"I use it everyday. I find that it's essential to keep my skin moisturised before applying fake tan, so I try to keep up a good routine, using this daily." - ★★★★☆ Freya, Adore Beauty Customer


Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm can be applied directly from the bottle to the skin anytime. But this moisture lotion can also be cooled in the fridge, so it’s ready whenever hot or itchy skin needs instant relief. Deep and super-soft hydration comes from a blend of plant and nut oils. To maximise the product’s absorption, apply it to warm, slightly damp skin after a shower. Bonus: Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm leaves your bathroom smelling gorgeous too.

  • Aēsop is always about the fragrance it can bring to your skincare experience.

  • In the case of this hydrating body balm, it's a dose of refreshing Sicilian oranges.

  • But there’s lemon and grapefruit in there too; this is a celebration of all things citrus.

"This is a beautiful rich body cream that will leave you smelling like a citrus dream. I love using it on my legs in summer and get complimented on the fresh scent." - ★★★★★ Charlotte, Adore Beauty Customer


Olive Oil is the primary source of the hydration properties of this cream. Olive Oil is high in squalane, a compound very close to the skin’s natural sebum, as well as antioxidants that fight the effects of sun and pollution on the skin. Honey, Bee Pollen, Propolis, and Royal Jelly bring their amazing antibacterial properties to the mix. Bee products are also known for their anti-inflammatory effects, which is how Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream can calm and reduce redness when applied to allergic or damaged skin.

  • Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream contains a blend of pure, natural ingredients that people have relied on for centuries to heal skin.

  • Treat problems such as dryness, insect bites, rashes, and cuts and scrapes with this cult-classic moisturising balm.

  • You can even use Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream to treat nappy rash or relieve razor bumps and ingrown hairs. This is one great addition to your family!

"I love this product it has become a nightly ritual of mine . Works great on dry heels and elbows, cuticles and lips. I dot a small amount around my eyes and whatever is left over I run through the ends of my hair. It certainly is an all rounder, my boyfriend uses it constantly he’s asked me to to get “us” some more!" - ★★★★★ Courtney, Adore Beauty Customer


Are you on the hunt for an organic body lotion for dry skin? Weleda Skin Food Body Butter is your skin’s saviour. The majority of ingredients used by Weleda are organic, but more importantly, they’re 100% sustainable and naturally sourced. The brand has been in business for almost a century, but even with this fantastic heritage and reputation behind it, Weleda continues to innovate. Here, classic Weleda Skin Food has been reimagined as a body butter to nourish dry and sensitive skin.

  • As the name implies, Weleda Skin Food Body Butter has a gorgeous whipped texture that comes from a blend of Shea Butter and Cocoa Seed Butter.

  • Beeswax and Lanolin have a dual purpose. First, they lock in moisture, so your skin stays hydrated all day.

  • These ingredients also protect the skin from the drying effects of heaters and other skin sappers. Weleda Skin Food Body Butter is loaded with other natural remedies to boot.

  • Rosemary, which has antiseptic benefits, and Chamomile, which soothes skin, help keep skin in top condition.

"I've developed really dry skin on my body this winter and nothing seemed to be working to relieve it. I don't like creams that are really heavy and greasy, so after seeing all the great reviews on this product I thought I'd give it a try. My fears of it being too thick were completely unfounded! Yes, it's super thick in the tub but if you warm it up between your hands for a few seconds before applying it goes on easily, it sinks in and isn't greasy at all. I tried it before bed and woke up with the softest, smoothest skin I've had in years. Highly recommend!" - ★★★★★ Rebecca, Adore Beauty Customer



Want to find out more about getting glowy, shiny skin? Check out our guides...




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